Guitar-toting director in tune with students

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-18 09:31

Robert Landau and his family have lived in many countries. If you ask his eldest son where he comes from, he'd say he is a citizen of the world as he was born in Switzerland and grew up in Prague.

Landau is neither a diplomat nor an international correspondent. The American man has 33 years' experience in teaching at, and running, international schools.

Now, he is in China, as director of the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB).

"Being incredibly flexible, patient, healthy, focused, hopeful and hard-working are key points in running an international school," he says. "Choosing China is a part of my journey. I want to see the country and the future of the world."

Established in 1994, WAB has nearly 1,500 students aged 2-18 and from 58 different countries, many of them from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. English is commonly spoken at this "mini United Nations" but all students take Chinese lessons.

Asked if the financial crisis was likely to impact on the school roll, Landau admits he is concerned because it is dependent on families assigned to overseas posts.

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